From: "Walter R. Mattfeld" <mattfeld12 AT charter.net>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] Beth-horon Origin
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 11:10:54 -0400
Yigal wrote :
"Interesting. I'll take a look at the Benjamin region survey next time I get
to the library. What does Peterson say about the origin of the name?"
Dear Yigal,
Peterson does not explore the origins of the name.
Cf. the below archaeological surface surveys for the two Beth-horons in the
following source (% refers to the numbers of sherds collected in the area, I
have NOT listed sherd counts or %'s for later eras, Roman -Ottoman):
Israel Finkelstein & Yitzhak Magen, editors. _Archaeological Survey of the
Hill Country of Benjamin_. Jerusalem. 1993. ISBN 965-406-007-8.
p.15*
No. 22:15 Beit 'Ur et-Tahta. 30 (?) dunams.
Arab village on tel; terraces to north.
Iron I a single sherd; Iron II -27%; Persian -3%; Hellenistic -27%;
p.16*
No. 28:16 Beit 'Ur el-Fauqa 15 (?) dunams. (See also No. 143 below)
Arab village on prominent hill.
MB -a few sherds; Iron I -36%; Iron II -66%; Persian -4%; Hellenistc -12%;
p. 28*
No. 143:16 Beit 'Ur el-Fauqa, 18 dunams. (See also No. 28 above)
Arab village; caves; oil-press' portion of Roman road; reservoir; burial
caves; rock-cut wine-press; cisterns.
Iron II -46%; Hellenistic 12%;
It appears that Peterson may be "in error" about a Late Bronze Age for
either of the Beth-horons from the above survey, as neither survey indicated
any LBA sherds ?
This survey of course raises questions. If Joshua routed a Canaanite
coalition at the ascent/descent of Beth-horon, is this alluding to the MB
site, as there is no LBA site (assuming a LBA Exodus of ca. 1446 or 1260
BCE) ?
Regards, Walter
Walter Reinhold Warttig Mattfeld y de la Torre, M.A. Ed.
mattfeld12 AT charter.net
www.bibleorigins.net
[b-hebrew] Beth-horon Origin,
Walter R. Mattfeld, 09/03/2004